“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulations; but of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Jn. 16:33(NKJV)
Well, Jesus, you have it made. You have overcome the world. Hooray! Good for You, but how does that affect me? It is easy for You. You’re God. You should be in my shoes for awhile and You would see how hard it is to be of good cheer. Sound familiar? It is easy to have this attitude when one doesn’t understand the spiritual things.
Jesus was telling His disciples that His victory was their victory. In Him they had overcome the world as well. “In Me you have peace.” Jesus was speaking of position and not proxy. As He is, so are we in this world. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection secured our position as over-comers. Everything Jesus did He did for us. He did not have to overcome the world for Himself. It was all for us and He wanted His disciples to understand this and use it for themselves. The only reason you are an overcomer is because of Jesus. Live in peace and believe.
“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” I Jn. 5:4-5(NKJV)